"A baron's chylde to be begylde!
it were a cursed dede:
To be felàwe with an outlàwe!
Almighty God forbede!
Yea, better were, the pore squy
re alone to forest yede,
Then ye sholde say another day,
that by my cursed dede
Ye were betrayed:
wherefore, good mayde,
the best rede that I can,
Is, that I to the grene wode go, alone,
a banyshed man."Thomas Percy, 'Nutbrowne Mayde,' 11. 265-76 from Reliques of
Ancient English Poetry, Vol. II.
The day that followed proved to be melancholy, though one of much
activity. The soldiers, who had so lately been employed in interring
their victims, were now called on to bury their own dead. The scene
of the morning had left a saddened feeling on all the gentlemen of
the party, and the rest felt the influence of a similar sensation,
in a variety of ways and from many causes. Hour dragged on after
hour until evening arrived, and then came the last melancholy offices
in honor of poor Hetty Hutter. Her body was laid in the lake, by
the side of that of the mother she had so loved and reverenced,
the surgeon, though actually an unbeliever, so far complying with
the received decencies of life as to read the funeral service
over her grave, as he had previously done over those of the other
Christian slain. It mattered not; that all seeing eye which reads
the heart, could not fail to discriminate between the living and
the dead, and the gentle soul of the unfortunate girl was already
far removed beyond the errors, or deceptions, of any human ritual.
These simple rites, however, were not wholly wanting in suitable
accompaniments. The tears of Judith and Hist were shed freely,
and Deerslayer gazed upon the limpid water, that now flowed over
one whose spirit was even purer than its own mountain springs,
with glistening eyes. Even the Delaware turned aside to conceal
his weakness, while the common men gazed on the ceremony with
wondering eyes and chastened feelings.
The business of the day closed with this pious office. By order
of the commanding officer, all retired early to rest, for it was
intended to begin the march homeward with the return of light. One
party, indeed, bearing the wounded, the prisoners, and the trophies,
had left the castle in the middle of the day under the guidance
of Hurry, intending to reach the fort by shorter marches. It had
been landed on the point so often mentioned, or that described
in our opening pages, and, when the sun set, was already encamped
on the brow of the long, broken, and ridgy hills, that fell away
towards the valley of the Mohawk. The departure of this detachment
had greatly simplified the duty of the succeeding day, disencumbering
its march of its baggage and wounded, and otherwise leaving him
who had issued the order greater liberty of action.
Judith held no communications with any but Hist, after the death
of her sister, until she retired for the night. Her sorrow had
been respected, and both the females had been left with the body,
unintruded on, to the last moment. The rattling of the drum broke
the silence of that tranquil water, and the echoes of the tattoo
were heard among the mountains, so soon after the ceremony was over
as to preclude the danger of interruption. That star which had
been the guide of Hist, rose on a scene as silent as if the quiet
of nature had never yet been disturbed by the labors or passions
of man. One solitary sentinel, with his relief, paced the platform
throughout the night, and morning was ushered in, as usual, by the
martial beat of the reveille.
Military precision succeeded to the desultory proceedings of border
men, and when a hasty and frugal breakfast was taken, the party
began its movement towards the shore with a regularity and order
that prevented noise or confusion. Of all the officers, Warley
alone remained. Craig headed the detachment in advance, Thornton
was with the wounded, and Graham accompanied his patients as a matter
of course. Even the chest of Hutter, with all the more valuable
of his effects, was borne away, leaving nothing behind that was
worth the labor of a removal. Judith was not sorry to see that
the captain respected her feelings, and that he occupied himself
entirely with the duty of his command, leaving her to her own
discretion and feelings. It was understood by all that the place
was to be totally abandoned; but beyond this no explanations were
asked or given.
The soldiers embarked in the Ark, with the captain at their head.
He had enquired of Judith in what way she chose to proceed, and
understanding her wish to remain with Hist to the last moment, he
neither molested her with requests, nor offended her with advice.
There was but one safe and familiar trail to the Mohawk, and
on that, at the proper hour, he doubted not that they should meet
in amity, if not in renewed intercourse. When all were on board,
the sweeps were manned, and the Ark moved in its sluggish manner
towards the distant point. Deerslayer and Chingachgook now lifted
two of the canoes from the water, and placed them in the castle.
The windows and door were then barred, and the house was left by
means of the trap, in the manner already described. On quitting
the palisades, Hist was seen in the remaining canoe, where the
Delaware immediately joined her, and paddled away, leaving Judith
standing alone on the platform. Owing to this prompt proceeding,
Deerslayer found himself alone with the beautiful and still weeping
mourner. Too simple to suspect anything, the young man swept the
light boat round, and received its mistress in it, when he followed
the course already taken by his friend. The direction to the point
led diagonally past, and at no great distance from, the graves of
the dead. As the canoe glided by, Judith for the first time that
morning spoke to her companion. She said but little; merely uttering
a simple request to stop, for a minute or two, ere she left the
place.
"I may never see this spot again, Deerslayer," she said, "and it
contains the bodies of my mother and sister! Is it not possible,
think you, that the innocence of one of these beings may answer in
the eyes of God for the salvation of both?"
"I don't understand it so, Judith, though I'm no missionary, and am
but poorly taught. Each spirit answers for its own backslidings,
though a hearty repentance will satisfy God's laws."
"Then must my poor poor mother be in heaven! Bitterly, bitterly
has she repented of her sins, and surely her sufferings in this life
ought to count as something against her sufferings in the next!"
"All this goes beyond me, Judith. I strive to do right, here,
as the surest means of keeping all right, hereafter. Hetty was
oncommon, as all that know'd her must allow, and her soul was as
fit to consart with angels the hour it left its body, as that of
any saint in the Bible!"
"I do believe you only do her justice! Alas! Alas! that there
should be so great differences between those who were nursed at
the same breast, slept in the same bed, and dwelt under the same
roof! But, no matter - move the canoe, a little farther east,
Deerslayer - the sun so dazzles my eyes that I cannot see the
graves. This is Hetty's, on the right of mother's?"
"Sartain - you ask'd that of us, and all are glad to do as you
wish, Judith, when you do that which is right."
The girl gazed at him near a minute, in silent attention; then she
turned her eyes backward, at the castle. "This lake will soon be
entirely deserted," she said, "and this, too, at a moment when it
will be a more secure dwelling place than ever. What has so lately
happened will prevent the Iroquois from venturing again to visit
it for a long time to come."
"That it will! Yes, that may be set down as sartain. I do not
mean to pass this-a-way, ag'in, so long as the war lasts, for, to
my mind no Huron moccasin will leave its print on the leaves of
this forest, until their traditions have forgotten to tell their
young men of their disgrace and rout."
"And do you so delight in violence and bloodshed? I had thought
better of you, Deerslayer - believed you one who could find his
happiness in a quiet domestic home, with an attached and loving
wife ready to study your wishes, and healthy and dutiful children
anxious to follow in your footsteps, and to become as honest and
just as yourself."
"Lord, Judith, what a tongue you're mistress of! Speech and looks
go hand in hand, like, and what one can't do, the other is pretty
sartain to perform! Such a gal, in a month, might spoil the stoutest
warrior in the colony."
"And am I then so mistaken? Do you really love war, Deerslayer,
better than the hearth, and the affections?"
"I understand your meaning, gal; yes, I do understand what you
mean, I believe, though I don't think you altogether understand me.
Warrior I may now call myself, I suppose, for I've both fou't and
conquered, which is sufficient for the name; neither will I deny that
I've feelin's for the callin', which is both manful and honorable
when carried on accordin' to nat'ral gifts, but I've no relish
for blood. Youth is youth, howsever, and a Mingo is a Mingo. If
the young men of this region stood by, and suffered the vagabonds
to overrun the land, why, we might as well all turn Frenchers at
once, and give up country and kin. I'm no fire eater, Judith, or
one that likes fightin' for fightin's sake, but I can see no great
difference atween givin' up territory afore a war, out of a dread
of war, and givin' it up a'ter a war, because we can't help it,
onless it be that the last is the most manful and honorable."
"No woman would ever wish to see her husband or brother stand by
and submit to insult and wrong, Deerslayer, however she might mourn
the necessity of his running into the dangers of battle. But,
you've done enough already, in clearing this region of the Hurons;
since to you is principally owing the credit of our late victory.
Now, listen to me patiently, and answer me with that native
honesty, which it is as pleasant to regard in one of your sex, as
it is unusual to meet with."
Judith paused, for now that she was on the very point of explaining
herself, native modesty asserted its power, notwithstanding the
encouragement and confidence she derived from the great simplicity
of her companion's character. Her cheeks, which had so lately
been pale, flushed, and her eyes lighted with some of their former
brilliancy. Feeling gave expression to her countenance and softness
to her voice, rendering her who was always beautiful, trebly
seductive and winning.
"Deerslayer," she said, after a considerable pause, "this is not a
moment for affectation, deception, or a want of frankness of any sort.
Here, over my mother's grave, and over the grave of truth-loving,
truth-telling Hetty, everything like unfair dealing seems to be
out of place. I will, therefore, speak to you without any reserve,
and without any dread of being misunderstood. You are not an
acquaintance of a week, but it appears to me as if I had known you
for years. So much, and so much that is important has taken place,
within that short time, that the sorrows, and dangers, and escapes
of a whole life have been crowded into a few days, and they who have
suffered and acted together in such scenes, ought not to feel like
strangers. I know that what I am about to say might be misunderstood
by most men, but I hope for a generous construction of my course
from you. We are not here, dwelling among the arts and deceptions
of the settlements, but young people who have no occasion to deceive
each other, in any manner or form. I hope I make myself understood?"
"Sartain, Judith; few convarse better than yourself, and none more
agreeable, like. Your words are as pleasant as your looks."
"It is the manner in which you have so often praised those looks,
that gives me courage to proceed. Still, Deerslayer, it is not easy
for one of my sex and years to forget all her lessons of infancy,
all her habits, and her natural diffidence, and say openly what
her heart feels!"
"Why not, Judith? Why shouldn't women as well as men deal fairly
and honestly by their fellow creatur's? I see no reason why you
should not speak as plainly as myself, when there is any thing
ra'ally important to be said."
This indomitable diffidence, which still prevented the young man
from suspecting the truth, would have completely discouraged the
girl, had not her whole soul, as well as her whole heart, been set
upon making a desperate effort to rescue herself from a future that
she dreaded with a horror as vivid as the distinctness with which
she fancied she foresaw it. This motive, however, raised her
above all common considerations, and she persevered even to her
own surprise, if not to her great confusion.
"I will - I must deal as plainly with you, as I would with poor,
dear Hetty, were that sweet child living!" she continued, turning
pale instead of blushing, the high resolution by which she was
prompted reversing the effect that such a procedure would ordinarily
produce on one of her sex; "yes, I will smother all other feelings,
in the one that is now uppermost! You love the woods and the life
that we pass, here, in the wilderness, away from the dwellings and
towns of the whites."
"As I loved my parents, Judith, when they was living! This very
spot would be all creation to me, could this war be fairly over,
once; and the settlers kept at a distance."
"Why quit it, then? It has no owner - at least none who can claim
a better right than mine, and that I freely give to you. Were it
a kingdom, Deerslayer, I think I should delight to say the same.
Let us then return to it, after we have seen the priest at the
fort, and never quit it again, until God calls us away to that
world where we shall find the spirits of my poor mother and sister."
A long, thoughtful pause succeeded; Judith here covered her
face with both her hands, after forcing herself to utter so plain
a proposal, and Deerslayer musing equally in sorrow and surprise,
on the meaning of the language he had just heard. At length the
hunter broke the silence, speaking in a tone that was softened to
gentleness by his desire not to offend.
"You haven't thought well of this, Judith," he said, "no, your
feelin's are awakened by all that has lately happened, and believin'
yourself to be without kindred in the world, you are in too great
haste to find some to fill the places of them that's lost."
"Were I living in a crowd of friends, Deerslayer, I should still
think as I now think - say as I now say," returned Judith, speaking
with her hands still shading her lovely face.
"Thank you, gal - thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Howsever,
I am not one to take advantage of a weak moment, when you're forgetful
of your own great advantages, and fancy 'arth and all it holds is
in this little canoe. No - no - Judith, 'twould be onginerous in
me; what you've offered can never come to pass!"
"It all may be, and that without leaving cause of repentance to
any," answered Judith, with an impetuosity of feeling and manner
that at once unveiled her eyes. "We can cause the soldiers to
leave our goods on the road, till we return, when they can easily
be brought back to the house; the lake will be no more visited by
the enemy, this war at least; all your skins may be readily sold
at the garrison; there you can buy the few necessaries we shall
want, for I wish never to see the spot, again; and Deerslayer,"
added the girl smiling with a sweetness and nature that the young
man found it hard to resist, "as a proof how wholly I am and wish
to be yours, - how completely I desire to be nothing but your
wife, the very first fire that we kindle, after our return, shall
be lighted with the brocade dress, and fed by every article I have
that you may think unfit for the woman you wish to live with!"
"Ah's me! - you're a winning and a lovely creatur', Judith; yes,
you are all that, and no one can deny it and speak truth. These
pictur's are pleasant to the thoughts, but they mightn't prove so
happy as you now think 'em. Forget it all, therefore, and let us
paddle after the Sarpent and Hist, as if nothing had been said on
the subject."
Judith was deeply mortified, and, what is more, she was profoundly
grieved. Still there was a steadiness and quiet in the manner of
Deerslayer that completely smothered her hopes, and told her that
for once her exceeding beauty had failed to excite the admiration
and homage it was wont to receive. Women are said seldom to
forgive those who slight their advances, but this high spirited and
impetuous girl entertained no shadow of resentment, then or ever,
against the fair dealing and ingenuous hunter. At the moment,
the prevailing feeling was the wish to be certain that there was
no misunderstanding. After another painful pause, therefore, she
brought the matter to an issue by a question too direct to admit
of equivocation.
"God forbid that we lay up regrets, in after life, through my want
of sincerity now," she said. "I hope we understand each other, at
least. You will not accept me for a wife, Deerslayer?"
"'Tis better for both that I shouldn't take advantage of your own
forgetfulness, Judith. We can never marry."
"You do not love me, - cannot find it in your heart, perhaps, to
esteem me, Deerslayer!"
"Everything in the way of fri'ndship, Judith - everything, even to
sarvices and life itself. Yes, I'd risk as much for you, at this
moment, as I would risk in behalf of Hist, and that is sayin' as
much as I can say of any darter of woman. I do not think I feel
towards either - mind I say either, Judith - as if I wished to
quit father and mother - if father and mother was livin', which,
howsever, neither is - but if both was livin', I do not feel towards
any woman as if I wish'd to quit 'em in order to cleave unto her."
"This is enough!" answered Judith, in a rebuked and smothered voice.
"I understand all that you mean. Marry you cannot with loving, and
that love you do not feel for me. Make no answer, if I am right,
for I shall understand your silence. That will be painful enough
of itself."
Deerslayer obeyed her, and he made no reply. For more than a
minute, the girl riveted her bright eyes on him as if to read his
soul, while he was playing with the water like a corrected school
boy. Then Judith, herself, dropped the end of her paddle, and urged
the canoe away from the spot, with a movement as reluctant as the
feelings which controlled it. Deerslayer quietly aided the effort,
however, and they were soon on the trackless line taken by the
Delaware.
In their way to the point, not another syllable was exchanged between
Deerslayer and his fair companion. As Judith sat in the bow of
the canoe, her back was turned towards him, else it is probable
the expression of her countenance might have induced him to venture
some soothing terms of friendship and regard. Contrary to what
would have been expected, resentment was still absent, though the
colour frequently changed from the deep flush of mortification to
the paleness of disappointment. Sorrow, deep, heart-felt sorrow,
however, was the predominant emotion, and this was betrayed in a
manner not to be mistaken.
As neither labored hard at the paddle, the ark had already arrived
and the soldiers had disembarked before the canoe of the two loiterers
reached the point. Chingachgook had preceded it, and was already
some distance in the wood, at a spot where the two trails, that to
the garrison and that to the villages of the Delawares, separated.
The soldiers, too, had taken up their line of march, first setting
the Ark adrift again, with a reckless disregard of its fate. All
this Judith saw, but she heeded it not. The glimmerglass had no
longer any charms for her, and when she put her foot on the strand,
she immediately proceeded on the trail of the soldiers without casting
a single glance behind her. Even Hist was passed unnoticed, that
modest young creature shrinking from the averted face of Judith,
as if guilty herself of some wrongdoing.
"Wait you here, Sarpent," said Deerslayer as he followed in the
footsteps of the dejected beauty, while passing his friend. "I
will just see Judith among her party, and come and j'ine you."
A hundred yards had hid the couple from those in front, as well as
those in their rear, when Judith turned, and spoke.
"This will do, Deerslayer," she said sadly. "I understand your
kindness but shall not need it. In a few minutes I shall reach
the soldiers. As you cannot go with me on the journey of life, I
do not wish you to go further on this. But, stop - before we part,
I would ask you a single question. And I require of you, as you
fear God, and reverence the truth, not to deceive me in your answer.
I know you do not love another and I can see but one reason why
you cannot, will not love me. Tell me then, Deerslayer," The girl
paused, the words she was about to utter seeming to choke her. Then
rallying all her resolution, with a face that flushed and paled at
every breath she drew, she continued.
"Tell me then, Deerslayer, if anything light of me, that Henry
March has said, may not have influenced your feelings?"
Truth was the Deerslayer's polar star. He ever kept it in view,
and it was nearly impossible for him to avoid uttering it, even
when prudence demanded silence. Judith read his answer in his
countenance, and with a heart nearly broken by the consciousness
of undue erring, she signed to him an adieu, and buried herself
in the woods. For some time Deerslayer was irresolute as to his
course; but, in the end, he retraced his steps, and joined the
Delaware. That night the three camped on the head waters of their
own river, and the succeeding evening they entered the village of
the tribe, Chingachgook and his betrothed in triumph; their companion
honored and admired, but in a sorrow that it required months of
activity to remove.
The war that then had its rise was stirring and bloody. The Delaware
chief rose among his people, until his name was never mentioned
without eulogiums, while another Uncas, the last of his race, was
added to the long line of warriors who bore that distinguishing
appellation. As for the Deerslayer, under the sobriquet of Hawkeye,
he made his fame spread far and near, until the crack of his rifle
became as terrible to the ears of the Mingos as the thunders of
the Manitou. His services were soon required by the officers of
the crown, and he especially attached himself in the field to one
in particular, with whose after life he had a close and important
connection.
Fifteen years had passed away, ere it was in the power of the
Deerslayer to revisit the Glimmerglass. A peace had intervened,
and it was on the eve of another and still more important war,
when he and his constant friend, Chingachgook, were hastening to
the forts to join their allies. A stripling accompanied them, for
Hist already slumbered beneath the pines of the Delawares, and the
three survivors had now become inseparable. They reached the lake
just as the sun was setting. Here all was unchanged. The river
still rushed through its bower of trees; the little rock was washing
away, by the slow action of the waves, in the course of centuries,
the mountains stood in their native dress, dark, rich and mysterious,
while the sheet glistened in its solitude, a beautiful gem of the
forest.
The following morning, the youth discovered one of the canoes
drifted on the shore, in a state of decay. A little labor put it
in a state for service, and they all embarked, with a desire to
examine the place. All the points were passed, and Chingachgook
pointed out to his son the spot where the Hurons had first encamped,
and the point whence he had succeeded in stealing his bride. Here
they even landed, but all traces of the former visit had disappeared.
Next they proceeded to the scene of the battle, and there they
found a few of the signs that linger around such localities. Wild
beasts had disinterred many of the bodies, and human bones were
bleaching in the rains of summer. Uncas regarded all with reverence
and pity, though traditions were already rousing his young mind to
the ambition and sternness of a warrior.
From the point, the canoe took its way toward the shoal, where the
remains of the castle were still visible, a picturesque ruin. The
storms of winter had long since unroofed the house, and decay had
eaten into the logs. All the fastenings were untouched, but the
seasons rioted in the place, as if in mockery at the attempt to
exclude them. The palisades were rotting, as were the piles, and
it was evident that a few more recurrences of winter, a few more
gales and tempests, would sweep all into the lake, and blot the
building from the face of that magnificent solitude. The graves
could not be found. Either the elements had obliterated their
traces, or time had caused those who looked for them to forget
their position.
The Ark was discovered stranded on the eastern shore, where it had
long before been driven with the prevalent northwest winds. It
lay on the sandy extremity of a long low point, that is situated
about two miles from the outlet, and which is itself fast disappearing
before the action of the elements. The scow was filled with water,
the cabin unroofed, and the logs were decaying. Some of its coarser
furniture still remained, and the heart of Deerslayer beat quick,
as he found a ribbon of Judith's fluttering from a log. It recalled
all her beauty, and we may add all her failings. Although the girl
had never touched his heart, the Hawkeye, for so we ought now to
call him, still retained a kind and sincere interest in her welfare.
He tore away the ribbon, and knotted it to the stock of Killdeer,
which had been the gift of the girl herself.
A few miles farther up the lake, another of the canoes was discovered,
and on the point where the party finally landed, were found those
which had been left there upon the shore. That in which the present
navigation was made, and the one discovered on the eastern shore,
had dropped through the decayed floor of the castle, drifted past
the falling palisades, and had been thrown as waifs upon the beach.
From all these signs, it was probable the lake had not been visited
since the occurrence of the final scene of our tale. Accident or
tradition had rendered it again a spot sacred to nature, the frequent
wars and the feeble population of the colonies still confining the
settlements within narrow boundaries. Chingachgook and his friend
left the spot with melancholy feelings. It had been the region
of their First War Path, and it carried back the minds of both to
scenes of tenderness, as well as to hours of triumph. They held
their way towards the Mohawk in silence, however, to rush into
new adventures, as stirring and as remarkable as those which had
attended their opening careers on this lovely lake. At a later
day they returned to the place, where the Indian found a grave.
Time and circumstances have drawn an impenetrable mystery around
all else connected with the Hutters. They lived, erred, died, and
are forgotten. None connected have felt sufficient interest in
the disgraced and disgracing to withdraw the veil, and a century is
about to erase even the recollection of their names. The history
of crime is ever revolting, and it is fortunate that few love to
dwell on its incidents. The sins of the family have long since
been arraigned at the judgment seat of God, or are registered for
the terrible settlement of the last great day.
The same fate attended Judith. When Hawkeye reached the garrison
on the Mohawk he enquired anxiously after that lovely but misguided
creature. None knew her - even her person was no longer remembered.
Other officers had, again and again, succeeded the Warleys and
Craigs and Grahams, though an old sergeant of the garrison, who
had lately come from England, was enabled to tell our hero that Sir
Robert Warley lived on his paternal estates, and that there was a
lady of rare beauty in the Lodge who had great influence over him,
though she did not bear his name. Whether this was Judith relapsed
into her early failing, or some other victim of the soldier's, Hawkeye
never knew, nor would it be pleasant or profitable to inquire. We
live in a world of transgressions and selfishness, and no pictures
that represent us otherwise can be true, though, happily, for
human nature, gleamings of that pure spirit in whose likeness man
has been fashioned are to be seen, relieving its deformities, and
mitigating if not excusing its crimes.